The Snowbirds and The Empty Nest

The Snowbirds and the Empty Nest is the adventure of 2 little birds that tried to adopt "just the right baby" for their new nest. Bold, bright pictures enhance this wonderful story. The Author, Josephine D'Antonio, is the mother of three and grandmother of three, with her newest addition granddaughter Abigail Rose. Josephine was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Never vaccinated for Polio, she was stricken with Polio at the age of five and underwent four surgeries before the age of eleven to correct the effects of this debilitating disease. Currently at the age of sixty, she lives with the after effects of this disease, known as Post-Polio Syndrome. Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors anywhere from 10 to 40 years after recovery from an initial paralytic attack of the poliovirus. PPS is characterized by a further weakening of muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection and non-paralyzed muscles and nerves start to deteriorate from overuse. Josephine had read about the re-emergence of Polio in Africa and has been researching the topic for some time. In fact, three-quarters of all cases globally are linked to a handful of polio "hot spots" in Nigeria, Pakistan and India. This outlook alarmed her and she wanted to do something to "help out," so that no one would go through what she did. All it takes is one dose of Polio vaccination to prevent this disease and as she states, "one person CAN make a difference." And to help get this started, she would like the proceeds from this book to go to the World Health Organization "to eradicate Polio in Africa."